Title: Motion of Carbon Nanotubes in suspension under AC electric field

Authors: Ning Peng, Qing Zhang, Yongshun Sun

Addresses: Microelectronics Center, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore. ' Microelectronics Center, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore. ' Microelectronics Center, School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 639798 Singapore

Abstract: Electronic applications of Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs) strongly depend on concise allocation of CNTs to desirable electrodes. AC Dielectrophoresis (DEP) provides us with a promising way to pattern CNTs. In this paper, the motion of a single CNT under AC electric field is discussed. The rotational and translational motions are studied by analysing the induced AC DEP torque and force. The different behaviours of semiconducting and metallic CNTs are compared. AC DEP technique for patterning CNTs can be optimised in terms of manipulation time control and frequency tuning.

Keywords: carbon nanotubes; CNTs; nanoelectronics; AC dielectrophoresis; DEP torque; DEP force; dielectric properties; scanning electron microscopy; SEM; electronics; rotational motion; translational motion; nanomanufacturing; nanotechnology; CNT patterning.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNM.2008.017838

International Journal of Nanomanufacturing, 2008 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.50 - 58

Published online: 19 Apr 2008 *

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